Antiskid attachment for shoes



Feb. 19, 1952 i J. F. VON ESSEN ANTISKID ATTACHMENT FOR SHOES Filed June 9, 1950 Inventor John E. Van Essen Patented Feb. 19, 1952 v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim. 1

The present invention relates to certain new and useful improvements on so-called ice creepers and anti-skid attachments for attachment to ones shoes to enable the wearer to obtain sufficient traction on slippery surfaces and to be able to walk with reliability and certainty.

It is a matter of common knowledge that the art to which the invention relates is characterized by many and varied styles and forms of calkequipped-plates, straps and similar devices for harnessing the plate temporarily in the desired walking position in relation to a predetermined part of the wearers shoe.

The primary object of the instant invention is to structurally, functionally and otherwise improve on prior art devices which have been made known to me. That is to say, in reducing to practice the instant concept I feel that I have evolved and produced an anti-skid shoe attachment which is not only simple and practical but exhibits a construction in which manufacturers, users and others will find their essential needs fully met, contained and successfully available.

More specifically, novelty is predicated on a substantially flat plate to fit beneath the shank of the wearers shoe, said plate having a depending flangewhich abuts the heel and being further provided with forward calks. A substantially U-shaped stirrup has its bight portion hinged to the plate and its arm portions provided with bridling straps, whereby the plate may be comfortably harnessed to the ankle and instep of the wearer.

Other objects and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the accompanying sheet of drawings wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure l is a fragmentary portion of a shoe, in side elevation, with the improved anti-skid device, constructed in accordance with this invention,properly applied and ready for use.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the device per se.

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the plate.

The over-all device is characterized by three units; namely, an anti-skid unit 4, stirrup unit 6 and strap means for bridling or harnessing the first two units operatively in place in the manner shown in Figure 1.

The unit 4 comprises a substantially flat plate 8 of general rectangular form which underlies the fiat portion of the shank of the wearer shoe as shown in the drawings. The rearward edge portion of the plate is provided with a depending rectangular flange I0 whose lower end is sharpened, as at I2, to provide an anti-skid element. The forward edge portion of the plate is provided with suitable depending integral calk l4-l4. At the juncture of plates 8 and ill (see Figure '3) I provide a pair of knuckles which constitute bearings l6l6.

The bearings it serve to accommodate the bight portion l8 of the hingedly attached yoke or stirrup. The arm portions 2020 are provided with eyes 2222 to accommodate the strap means. The latter means comprises an ankle strap 24 having its end portions permanently fastened as at 26 to the eyes 22. This strap is adapted to saddle over the heel of the wearer as shown in Figure 1.

The remaining straps 28 and 30 have their end portions 32-42 connected with the eyes 22-22. The free ends of the straps 28 and 30 are connected together by buckle means 34. These straps form an instep strap assembly. The two straps, in conjunction with the self-adjusting hingedly mounted stirrup, make it possible to place the plate 8 firmly against the under side of the shoe sole and the plate [0 firmly against the forward edge of the shoe heel. This places the elements I2 and M in an effective position for anti-skid walking purposes.

Novelty is believed to be present in providing the right angular portions 8 and IU of the plate means with hinge knuckles at the juncture of the plate portions and the attachment of the axle portion 18 of the stirrup to said plate portions, whereby to permit the latter and the arms of the stirrup to be moved to positions which seem to be best suited for accommodation of the strap means, the heel strap 20 and the two instep straps 28 and 38. That is to say, by utilizing the swinging motions of the hingedly connected stirrup, it is possible to not only fasten the strap devices comfortably but with requisite security.

One having the means herein disclosed attached to his shoes will find himself in a satisfactory position to walk and otherwise stand up on slippery surfaces.

It is thought that persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates will be able to obtain a clear understanding of the invention after considering the description in connection with the drawings. Therefore, a more lengthy description is regarded as unnecessary.

Minor changes in shape, size and arrangement of details coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, if desired.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

An anti-skid attachment for a walking shoe comprising a substantially flat horizontal plate portion adapted to underlie and firmly contact the underside of the shank of the sole of a shoe, a depending right angularly disposed vertical plate portion integrated with and carried by a longitudinal edge portion of said horizontal plate portion and adapted to rest throughout its major area against the breast of the heel of said shoe, the entire lower edge of said vertical plate portion being sharpened and providing anti-skid means, a pair of downbent spaced parallel calks formed integral with and depending from the forward transverse edge portion of said hori- 4 zontal plate portion and disposed at right angles to said vertical plate portion, and means for harnessing said plate portions in their respective predetermined positions on said shoe, said means embodying a stirrup hingedly connected with said plate portions and a plurality of fastening straps permanently attached to said stirrup.

JOHN F. VON ESSEN.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Number Chase Sept. 17, 1929 

